Gazza Throws Weight Behind Grealish for World Cup Return
England icon Paul Gascoigne has publicly endorsed Jack Grealish for a place in the national squad for the 2026 World Cup, offering a significant boost to the Everton attacker. Gascoigne, whose own legendary performances at Italia '90 captivated the nation, described the 30-year-old as 'always dangerous' and expressed amazement that he is not a regular starter.
Mutual Admiration and Resurgent Form
The public backing comes amidst a period of strong form for Grealish at Everton, where he is currently on loan. Grealish has long spoken of his admiration for Gascoigne's style of play, and the feeling appears to be mutual. 'It doesn’t matter if he loses the ball, he always wants it again,' Gascoigne told FourFourTwo, highlighting their shared tenacity. He added, 'He’s handsome as well! It amazes me when managers put him sub, because he’s always dangerous. Definitely, and I think he’ll make it. I can’t see him not going, because he’s always going to be a threat.'
Grealish has not featured for England since October 2024, when he scored in a match against Finland. His exclusion from recent squads has been a topic of debate, especially given his improved contributions at club level. Under interim boss Lee Carsley, he enjoyed a fine run, scoring twice in three Nations League games, but he has been absent from all squads since Thomas Tuchel's appointment.
Tuchel's Tunnel Chat Fuels Speculation
The path back to the England setup may be opening up. After Everton's impressive away win at Manchester United on Monday, Grealish was spotted in a lengthy and seemingly positive conversation with England manager Thomas Tuchel in the tunnel. Witnesses reported seeing the German coach embrace the winger, put an arm around him, and share a laugh, all of which has been interpreted as a very encouraging sign.
Tuchel has a known preference for selecting players who are featuring regularly for their clubs, a criterion Grealish struggled to meet during his time as a bit-part player at Manchester City. Now, under David Moyes at Everton, he is shining once more, contributing four assists and a goal while also demonstrating a commendable defensive work ethic.
Grealish revealed that Tuchel had personally called him after the most recent squad was announced to explain his omission, citing a surplus of left-wingers. Tuchel has since stated his intention to contact players on England's 'long list' after the World Cup Qualifiers to clarify his decisions and outline what they need to do to force their way into contention.
While Grealish was part of the 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar, his involvement was limited to brief substitute appearances before England's exit at the hands of France. The hope now is that his club form and high-profile endorsements will lead to a more significant role as the 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico approaches.
